You're not alone. Here's a safe place, a growing place, a way out of the shadows of grief . . . This blog provides resources and Biblical direction for helping you trust Jesus through one of life's most difficult challenges.

Pages

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Every type of loss—death of a loved one; loss of a home and
belongings; loss of innocence and faith; loss of health; divorce of hope and
dreams—every loss is a catastrophe to the one who suffers.

But when college professor, Jerry Sittser, was
driving home from an entertaining day trip with his whole family a triple catastrophe struck: their minivan
was hit head-on by a drunk driver. Sittser’s wife, his mother and four-year-old
Diana Jane, were killed---three generations of women. Left
to navigate grief alone with his three other children (ages 2 – 9), he too, felt his
loss was catastrophic. Yes, it was.

A profound book crystalized from this experience—A Grace Disguised—How the Soul Grows Through
Loss. Sittser’s mastery of thought, language and faith provide the bereaved
with a looking glass of their new reality. The hope is not trite or clichéd;
the grace is not delicate, it’s real.

Someone who’d experienced suffering and sacrifice gave me
this book when my first husband and father of our three teens died instantly of
a brain aneurysm the day before my 44th birthday. She told me, “Wait
a while, six months or so before you read this. You’ll know when you’re ready.”
Good advice and wise words for such an insightful tome, and to a dazed new widow; my early days of grief were filled with
too many other things to process. So now I also recommend reading A Grace Disguised six months or more after the event. Better yet,
read it before you need it if possible.

The subtitle says it all --How the Soul Grows Through Loss. In my work with widows since my
own loss, it’s been a great joy to see that happen over and over again—the soul does
grow through loss if and when we let it. Jerry Sittser shows the sacred metamorphosis of applied faith and paves a path for hope in our hearts. Have you read A Grace Disguised? Take a look at it here at the www.Christianbook.com website. I'd love to hear your thoughts about it; feel free to comment today.

2 comments:

It's my favorite book on grief. It's been a lifeline of wisdom for me. But I agree that you need to wait some months after your loss to read it. I stumbled upon the book 9 months after my loss. God's timing was perfect. I don't think I could have swallowed it earlier. For me, the idea of living and mourning simultaneously was healing... that mourning goes on but you can still live. His illustration about the tree that died in his garden leaving a huge stump behind is beautiful. Though that stump still remains, he was able to build a beautiful garden around it.

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I am not always able to reply but your remarks mean a lot to me and will appear as soon as possible.

Here are some tips for commenting: Remember to click the Publish button when you're done. Choosing the anonymous identity is easiest if you do not have your own blog.Using a computer rather than a cell phone seems to work better. Thanks again!

Ferree's book ...

"...one of the BEST books I've read for Widows!" Kathy E., widow

You're Invited . . .

Take hope, my friend, join in and watch the darkness turn to light and gather strength for your journey. You'll see the ways others have struggled, survived and thrived. You'll discover key Scriptures and insights from God's Word that will feed your soul and give you hope. Click on the Memorial Wall tab above, pray for these women and add your own listing. This blog is about you and God's work in the hearts of widows!

As we grieve, life continues on around us; we need to make adjustments and function inspite of our struggles. So this blog not only addresses grief and gives you role models, it also looks at the single-living skills, spiritual disciplines, laughter, rest and the renewing worship you'll need to juggle.

Some articles are food for thought, some are quick and helpful tips, and every once in a while we'll get just plain silly because laughter is still good medicine.

There's a new life waiting to meet you, and a new hope waiting to bloom in your heart. But don't worry about that for now. God knows you want your old life back. He understands. So for now, just visit, rest, relax and renew for the journey ahead.

Contributors

FeedBurner FeedCount

If you are feeling overwhelmed, desperate, anxious or depressed please contact nearby professionals such as your local pastor and your healthcare provider immediately. The help offered at this blog is not intended as a substitute for professional counseling or healthcare.

References to websites, books, organizations, people, photos and other resources and listings are not my personal endorsements in all cases at all times.